The NASCAR Xfinity race at Chicago ended in a two-lap dash for the win with Connor Zilisch leading teammate Shane van Gisbergen (SVG). As the green flag flew, SVG forced it up the inside of JR Motorsports teammate Zilisch, pushing him wide and taking the race lead. Zilisch tried to fight back, but it was too late as van Gisbergen captured the checkered flag.

“Thought it was going to be a lost cause when the strategy went wrong, but it worked out well,” said van Gisbergen. “Thanks to JRM, the car was a rocket.”

Speaking more on the strategy, SVG said: “I knew that was what we were gonna do, but when so many cars didn’t follow us, it was a bit of worry, but then we had tire grip at the end. Really cool battles with everyone. I enjoyed it.”

He also praised Zilisch, calling him “a great young driver … I knew that was my opportunity (to pass him) and took it. It was an awesome 1-2 for the team.”

Zilisch seemed surprised by the move, saying, “I guess I shouldn’t have let him get to my bottom when I was clear there just barely on the front-straight. I just let him get to my inside and took advantage of it. Hate it for my #88 group. I should have just been a little bit more aggressive there. I just thought he was going to race me a little cleaner. I’ll learn from it, move on.”

This was SVG’s first NASCAR Xfinity start of the year, but his fourth career win. He also won on the streets of Chicago one year ago, but that was with Kaulig Racing. 

Sheldon Creed finished third, Austin Hill fourth, and Nick Sanchez fifth. Jesse Love, Sammy Smith, Sam Mayer, Austin Green, and Brennan Poole filled out the remainder of the top ten.

SVG fights through the field

Shane Van Gisbergen, Chevrolet

Photo by: James Gilbert / Getty Images

There were no track-blocking wrecks during the race, but plenty of incidents. Van Gisbergen dominated from the start, but opted to go an alternate strategy that nearly cost him, staying out at the end of Stage 1. However, before he could make his scheduled stop later on, a debris caution with a few laps to go in Stage 2 forced his hand.

Van Gisbergen gave up the lead and came down pit road for his lone stop of the race, falling back to 19th for the restart. While Sheldon Creed claimed the Stage 2 win, SVG quickly drove up to 13th place.

As the final stage got underway, Creed remained in control while van Gisbergen rocketed up to seventh. The caution flew once more when Thomas Annunziata crashed in Turn 2. Taylor Gray tried to avoid the wreck, but got pushed into it.

On the following restart, van Gisbergen continued his forward push as Zilisch moved into the race lead. With some help from Creed, who pulled over for him, SVG moved into second with nine laps to go. He was over 3.5 seconds behind Zilisch, and while he began to chip away at it, another caution would bring the teammates together for a final showdown.

Andre Castro stuffed it into the tires, setting up the final restart of the race, where SVG forced his way by Zilisch. Van Gisbergen also earned pole position for the Cup race in Chicago, so he will attempt to complete the weekend sweep on Sunday.